Setting up a Falco for touring?

Message

irich · #1 Post by **irich** » Wed Feb 29, 2012 7:26 am

The sale of the Falco is on hold. Looks like I will be back for a couple of months at least, and I've been invited on an 8 day tour with some guys from the UK side.

The plan is to ride to Austria, Switzerland, then back through France and up the Spanish Pyrenees in June.

So I have to set the Falco up accordingly. I'll buy a new rear shock and I'll get the bike serviced before I head off.

Any advice on set up, luggage, legals, recovery etc etc from those who have toured on their Falco in Europe?

dyzio · #2 Post by **dyzio** » Wed Feb 29, 2012 11:34 am

That's a hell of a trip in one go mate, I've done a lap of France and Spain in the past 2 years and each time total mileage was around 4k miles. Personally I wouldn't want to do more riding in 2-3 weeks time, but it's your holiday so if you think you'll enjoy it, go for it.

Get the bike serviced, sort out European recovery - call them when/where you are going, as sometimes they want to know that as well as you insurers.

Luggage: I pack like a woman and currently use a Oxford tank bag (non magnetic), and a Jofama tail bag:

Other stuff:
- maps/sat nav - don't rely on a sat nav alone and take decent maps (michelin),
- toolkit - ok you won't fix the engine but you might wanna tighten the chain,
- chain spray, one tube - you can buy more on the road,
- oil, if your bird likes to drink,
- replacement bulb,
- hi viz (compulsory now?),
- small medic kit
- UK sticker on bike.

I also carry duckt tape, a few zip ties and spare levers under the seat (cheap ebay ones just in case I drop her - shortarse). Long list I know, but most of it will fit under your pillion seat.

What I found useful =was the option of mounting a satnav on the falco, the holder fits ferfectly:

Other than that - don't plan/book everything. You'll be riding to a schedule and that might kill the trip. By all means do some research on roads, hotels/camping places.

EDIT:
I've also used a HepcoBecker rack, but didn't like it as much. I don't like the look of it on the bike and it takes a while to put on/off, plus you needed a tailpack and a roll bag, packing everything up was a bit annoying, I much prefer the Jofama bag.

irich · #3 Post by **irich** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 5:59 am

Thanks Dyzio, much appreciated. Lots of useful stuff there.

Aladinsaneuk · #4 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 10:27 am

I use a wolf man tailbag - very similar to what the jofama looks like

I also use a large baglux bag - that is where day to day stuff like water proofs etc

check the legal requirements for the countries you plan on visiting - you do have to carry a set of bulbs.... and a first aid kit. iirc the high vis jacket is only required for car drivers - BUT check :)

strongly agree on cable ties and gaffer tape :)

consider a gerber/workman tool - the pilers are useful :)

contact nooj for the tyre sealant stuff

do not forget copies of your drivers licence and passport.... and your health cover - http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_4018163 (Do it now!)

check for visas - i do not think any are needed but....

I consider a sat nav indispensable - I use a garmin zumo - update the maps !

i would strongly consider a cheap payg mobile phone - i think that reduces the risk of mobile data roaming charges :)

hornetrider · #5 Post by **hornetrider** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 1:15 pm

Looks like the guys here have everything covered. I use a Givi hard case and a Baglux tank bag, I do find the Givi case good for security.

You done big miles in single stints on it before? I found the Falco is relatively 'racey' in natural guise, so you may want to consider Helibars or similar, although that was a personal thing for me.

flatlander · #6 Post by **flatlander** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 1:55 pm

clean underwear

MartDude · #7 Post by **MartDude** » Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:19 pm

And immodium. Or a butt plug

irich · #8 Post by **irich** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 8:09 am

Aladinsaneuk wrote:I use a wolf man tailbag - very similar to what the jofama looks like

I also use a large baglux bag - that is where day to day stuff like water proofs etc

check the legal requirements for the countries you plan on visiting - you do have to carry a set of bulbs.... and a first aid kit. iirc the high vis jacket is only required for car drivers - BUT check :)

strongly agree on cable ties and gaffer tape :)

consider a gerber/workman tool - the pilers are useful :)

contact nooj for the tyre sealant stuff

do not forget copies of your drivers licence and passport.... and your health cover - http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_4018163 (Do it now!)

check for visas - i do not think any are needed but....

I consider a sat nav indispensable - I use a garmin zumo - update the maps !

i would strongly consider a cheap payg mobile phone - i think that reduces the risk of mobile data roaming charges :)

Thanks Dude. Do you have a luggage rack to mount the Wolfman?

I take it the Baglux is a tank bag?

I've found a decent sized FAMSA tank bag set up specifically for the Falco, and a Ventura tail pack system that takes about 50 litres. Flippin pricey though, 140 for the tank bag and the best part of 300 for the tail pack so I'd like to get something cheaper.

irich · #9 Post by **irich** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 8:13 am

hornetrider wrote:Looks like the guys here have everything covered. I use a Givi hard case and a Baglux tank bag, I do find the Givi case good for security.

You done big miles in single stints on it before? I found the Falco is relatively 'racey' in natural guise, so you may want to consider Helibars or similar, although that was a personal thing for me.

No, I bought the bike off my kid brother and haven't ridden it yet. Plan to check it out for ergos when I get back at the end of April.

After the first day which is a 500 mile hammer to some town in Germany, it's pretty laid back, about 200 - 300 miles per day. They are getting the ferry back to the UK from Northern Spain so the total miles is around 1750 or so from Germany over 7 days.

irich · #10 Post by **irich** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 8:56 am

Couple more questions for the learned:

The bike has Beowulf end cans and they are anti social loud. I'm going to sell them and I might swap back the original cans. or replace them with something quieter. I live near the Dales and loud pipes are a real problem out there. Any recommendations for a decent pair of end cans?

Also I assume a scottoiler is a must have for a tour.

D-Rider · #11 Post by **D-Rider** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 9:58 am

I think Fuel cans, baffles in, are a good compromise. Not over-muted like the standard ones but not over loud either. Happy with mine - I guess those that have a pair will find them even more "civilised".

A scotoiler - essential kit touring: or just general use. If touring you might want one of the higher capacity add-ons.

Chabby · #12 Post by **Chabby** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:27 am

I like the security/ease of use that a topbox supplies and find that this and a tankbag gives sufficient luggage capacity for a fortnights worth of gear.
My setup is a version of this -

http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/show ... et-Luggage

I mounted the plate further forward to put more weight on the pillion pad.
The guy who posted the above link has made several mounts to fit hard luggage to the Falco and they all look decent. Check out the rest of his posts for ideas.

robbier6 · #13 Post by **robbier6** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 10:58 am

I agree with D-R as to the fuel cans, leave the baffles in and they are fruity but not obscene

irich · #14 Post by **irich** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 12:15 pm

would i need to have the bike remapped etc with the fuel cans?

D-Rider · #15 Post by **D-Rider** » Fri Mar 02, 2012 12:24 pm

irich wrote:would i need to have the bike remapped etc with the fuel cans?

No - just as long as it's de-restricted (airbox bung and wire snip)